1 Topic by JohnTB (edited by JohnTB 2008-05-30 03:56:27)

  • From: Lancashire
  • Registered: 2008-02-26
  • Posts: 700

Topic: Buying an AMP

Ok so the problem, my set up atm is perfect for gigs etc but Im having trouble practising at home the amps too loud (40w tube), I cant seem to find anything local thats a nice sounding small tube amp. Im strapped for space so somet small in build is a must, but needs to sound nice else I prob wouldnt play with it. Thought I'd take the plunge online however much I think its a bad idea :x

BTW reason I dont use the other amp and turn it down low is well at low volume it practicall farts and sounds awful...

Info:
I'll be playing mainly strats well anything I have hold of through it, nothing high gain or anything just a nice break up would be cool, I mainly play blues but I usually sit doodling playing anything that pops to mind from Norah Jones type stuff to Joe's type of stuff. Im hoping it will be good to record with too because atm Im having trouble cranking whilst recording with the band sad

Cheers for any advice guys tongue

Oh I've heard good things about Blackheart little giants anyone tried them? are they even available in the UK :x

  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2008-04-23
  • Posts: 553

Re: Buying an AMP

Hi,

for home practice I use either a Vox AD-15 which sounds very good
for that issues or either a 18 watt Marshall 1974x clone with a power attenuator.
It still sounds pretty good a low level.

Easier is the vox. It has all inbuilt effect like chorus, delays and reverb.
Also many amp models and boosters. On higher volume for band practice
its useless and sounds like an empty shoe box but for home use its perfect.

Alex

...it's a musical journey
www.u2-experience.de

Stratovari's Website

  • From: Denmark
  • Registered: 2008-04-03
  • Posts: 96

Re: Buying an AMP

No, no ,no. 'Too loud' does not exist!

I think you should try out a Fender Blues Deluxe. Great amp.

What did you expect to see out of a Torquay hotel bedroom window? Sydney Opera House perhaps? The Hanging Gardens of Babylon? Herds of wild beasts sweeping majestically over the fields?

Guitargeek's Website

  • From: Lancashire
  • Registered: 2008-02-26
  • Posts: 700

Re: Buying an AMP

Lol thats what I got it is a great amp but far too loud for my tiny lil room.

I dont care too much for effects as I said just for home practise was looking at 5w amps so I can get a little bit of natural distortion with out being loud, not sure if 15 w will be too big :x

I considered a power atten but wasnt too sure due to the price and the reason I'd like less volume... I tend to leave the amp downstairs atm due to its weight and size so that is a big factor :X

  • From: UK
  • Registered: 2006-09-27
  • Posts: 176

Re: Buying an AMP

JohnTB wrote:

Ok so the problem, my set up atm is perfect for gigs etc but Im having trouble practising at home the amps too loud (40w tube), I cant seem to find anything local thats a nice sounding small tube amp. Im strapped for space so somet small in build is a must, but needs to sound nice else I prob wouldnt play with it. Thought I'd take the plunge online however much I think its a bad idea :x

BTW reason I dont use the other amp and turn it down low is well at low volume it practicall farts and sounds awful...

Info:
I'll be playing mainly strats well anything I have hold of through it, nothing high gain or anything just a nice break up would be cool, I mainly play blues but I usually sit doodling playing anything that pops to mind from Norah Jones type stuff to Joe's type of stuff. Im hoping it will be good to record with too because atm Im having trouble cranking whilst recording with the band sad

Cheers for any advice guys tongue

Oh I've heard good things about Blackheart little giants anyone tried them? are they even available in the UK :x

Don't buy a new amp, buy a Power soak.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_attenuator_(guitar)

With guitar amplifiers, power-tube distortion is often the desired sound but it can only be achieved with the amp running at or near maximum power, and attenuators are frequently used to reduce the actual sound from the speakers to more practical levels while allowing the amp circuitry to still run at full volume.

Nightfly's Website

6 Reply by NPB_EST.1979 (edited by NPB_EST.1979 2008-05-30 09:52:30)

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Buying an AMP

If you're worried about 'too loud' then get a Line 6 POD - either the red one or the pedal one...  you can go line out to the PA. If you're playing gigs just run it through the PA, and have some monitors pointed at you with the guitar in it.  The nice thing about Line 6 is you can have soldano, buddha, marshal plexi, fender twin reverb, mesa dual rectifier, fender bassman, etc. plus tons of effects without having to buy all the amps. Plus, putting it though a PA will take way the volume problem.

just a thought

also the POD is great for recording.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • ken
  • ken
  • Titanium
  • Offline
  • From: Orlando, FL
  • Registered: 2007-05-28
  • Posts: 949

Re: Buying an AMP

Nightfly wrote:

Don't buy a new amp, buy a Power soak.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_attenuator_(guitar)

With guitar amplifiers, power-tube distortion is often the desired sound but it can only be achieved with the amp running at or near maximum power, and attenuators are frequently used to reduce the actual sound from the speakers to more practical levels while allowing the amp circuitry to still run at full volume.

I agree, go with an attenuator. 5 watts cranked is loud.
Check these out. http://www.tedweber.com/atten.htm

Ted Weber has some pretty interesting and unique attenuators and the price is right (about $75 for a 50 watter). I don't own one of these, but I've been thinking about getting one.

8 Reply by ken (edited by ken 2008-05-30 10:09:20)

  • ken
  • ken
  • Titanium
  • Offline
  • From: Orlando, FL
  • Registered: 2007-05-28
  • Posts: 949

Re: Buying an AMP

NPB_EST.1979 wrote:

If you're worried about 'too loud' then get a Line 6 POD - either the red one or the pedal one...  you can go line out to the PA. If you're playing gigs just run it through the PA, and have some monitors pointed at you with the guitar in it.  The nice thing about Line 6 is you can have soldano, buddha, marshal plexi, fender twin reverb, mesa dual rectifier, fender bassman, etc. plus tons of effects without having to buy all the amps. Plus, putting it though a PA will take way the volume problem.

just a thought

also the POD is great for recording.

That's also a good idea. I have a Pandora PX4D  that is excellent for practicing, and comes with tons of bass and drum patterns to practice along to (better than a metronome). It also has line outs for PA or recording, and takes up no room at all. It can be attached to your guitar strap.
http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-KOR-PX4D-LIST

9 Reply by gsj (edited by gsj 2008-05-30 11:14:05)

  • gsj
  • gsj
  • BONAMETAL
  • Offline
  • From: North Essex, England
  • Registered: 2006-09-21
  • Posts: 2,149

Re: Buying an AMP

Yep, attenuator every time....get those tubes cooking. Check out THD Hotplate, Koch Loadbox, Marshall Powerbreak and Dr Z Airbrake (got one of those and I highly recommend them....sorry Joe tongue)

Geoff

never give up, never slow down
never grow old, never ever die young
  • From: Frederick County, MD
  • Registered: 2006-04-21
  • Posts: 857

Re: Buying an AMP

The attenuator sounds like it might be a good idea, but if you want a smaller decent-sounding amp, you could try the (F-word) Blues Jr. or Pro Jr.  My GF got me a Blues Jr. for Xmas and it's great for practice and small rooms....not big enough to fight a drum set/bass/PA and win, but it sounds pretty good with just my Mexi Strat plugged straight in.

CarljMD

Takers get the honey, givers sing the blues
  • Bender
  • Bronze Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2008-05-06
  • Posts: 47

Re: Buying an AMP

Yeah, use your existing amp with a THD Hot Plate.

Great sound at home volumes.

I got one and it's brilliant.

  • Registered: 2006-05-31
  • Posts: 184

Re: Buying an AMP

O.K. Hopefully I don't offend anyone, but how about the Fender GDEC? the standard one is 15 watts and can emulate quite a range of amps and effects. I have had one for some time and really enjoy it. Yes, there are limitations, but you can get quite a range of sound at very low volumes and you have a backing band if you want it.

The link I have included is video of Eric Johnson demoing (sp? that doesn't look right) the GDEC.

My Gibson runs just fine through it too!

http://www.music123.com/LMS/Viewer.aspx?vid=104981

Just a thought.

I should get an attenuator so I could run my old Sunn at decent volumes. It just does not sound good unless it's cranked up (I can hear the police knocking at the door already). smile

Nothin' but the Blues

13 Reply by Stratovari (edited by Stratovari 2008-05-31 12:19:13)

  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2008-04-23
  • Posts: 553

Re: Buying an AMP

Hi bluesboy,

thats what I said in the first reply. I have this small Vox AD-15.  For home use its perfect.
It has all the sounds and effects to have a decent sound for practicing and its very small sized.
Live I use of course other amps. A Valvetech Hayseed 30 or a Marshall 2555.

Nice Link. There are many similarities in the way of playing and soundsettings to Joes.

Alex

...it's a musical journey
www.u2-experience.de

Stratovari's Website

  • Registered: 2006-05-31
  • Posts: 184

Re: Buying an AMP

Hi Stratovari,

The Vox does sound like it will do the job. The AD15VT is only $199 on Musician's Friend. Nice little unit. If I didn't already have the GDEC I would be tempted.  --

JohnTB - The Vox looks like a WINNER to me! Check it out.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ … sku=481958

Nothin' but the Blues
  • From: Lancashire
  • Registered: 2008-02-26
  • Posts: 700

Re: Buying an AMP

Cheers guys got the week off so I'll be no doubt buyign stuff smile let ya know what I get big_smile

16 Reply by Ges

  • Ges
  • Ges
  • Titanium
  • Offline
  • From: NW England
  • Registered: 2006-09-25
  • Posts: 845

Re: Buying an AMP

JohnTB wrote:

Cheers guys got the week off so I'll be no doubt buyign stuff smile let ya know what I get big_smile

Sounds like a great week in prospect John.
Enjoy smile

17 Reply by gsj

  • gsj
  • gsj
  • BONAMETAL
  • Offline
  • From: North Essex, England
  • Registered: 2006-09-21
  • Posts: 2,149

Re: Buying an AMP

G-Dec? Errrrrr??? wink

never give up, never slow down
never grow old, never ever die young